PHL Embassy Conducts Consular Outreach Mission in Christchurch, New Zealand

Ambassador Domingo, second from the right, poses with Ms. Delia Sipaco Richards, to his left in the middle, Chairperson of “Philippine Culture and Sports”, a non-profit organization. Also in the photo are, from left to right, are Mr. Angel Carambas, Chairperson of the Philippine Central Association (PCA) of Palmerston North, Ralph J. Zambrano, the first Youth Ambassador appointed within the framework of the Philippine Embassy’s Universal Diplomacy (UD) and Youth Ambassadors (“#YAMBA”) programmes, and at the farthest right, Dr. Antonio Noblejas, QSM, of the Federation of Filipino Associations, Societies and Clubs in New Zealand.

30 October 2017 WELLINGTON – A mobile consular team of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington rendered a five-day consular outreach mission in Christchurch last October 18 to 22. The five-member team delivered a total of 1,638 services. Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo went on-site to meet with some of the applicants as well as oversee and observe the conduct of services. 

There were 59 individuals who were administered the Oath of Allegiance or Panunumpa ng Katapatan which is recited by immigrants who wish to retain or re-acquire Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9225, otherwise known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. Two also filed their applications for Philippine citizenship retention and reacquisition.

The consular outreach was conducted pursuant to the policy to extend assistance and support to Filipino nationals abroad by providing them easier and more convenient access to its services.

The mission was also an opportunity for the Embassy to personally respond to the applicants’ consular queries and concerns, and strengthen its network with Filipino community members.

The mission benefitted from the help of Mr. Jonathan Da-al and Ms. Maricel Malonzo, volunteers from the Filipino community. They assisted in photocopying documents and in the purchase of the appropriate courier bags. They also guided applicants in filling-up required forms and preparing necessary supporting documents.

The Philippine Culture and Sports, led by Ms. Delia Richards, also provided critical support to the mission, among others, in securing a venue easily accessible to the public. END

For more information, visit www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineEmbassyWellingtonNewZealand.

Volunteer in action: Mr. Jonathan Da-al attends to a flood of applicants at a peak period in the mission.

A Filipino immigrant in New Zealand takes her Oath of Allegiance.